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Local News for Friday 30th March 2018

Chance for future music starsFuture music stars are being given a dream opportunity to play at HebCelt and to record at a state-of-the-art studio in new competition launched yesterday by Hebridean Celtic Festival and Black Bay Studio. The Next Steps competition will seek out the best young artist or band aged between 18 and 25 at the time of HebCelt, and the winner will secure a slot on the festival’s Islands Stage, a day recording at the studio with accommodation, plus £500 of expenses and passes to enjoy the rest of HebCelt. Caroline Maclennan, director of HebCelt, said: “The festival has always been passionate about promoting and supporting emerging young talent. In the Year of Young People, we feel it’s important to develop this support and help them take the next steps in their career. Providing a stage slot alongside some international artists, and the chance to record in Black Bay Studio in a wonderful setting, is a fantastic incentive for musicians.” The competition is open to any young band or performer, aged 18-25, playing a genre of music that reflects the general programming of the festival.Submissions should be entered by the deadline of midnight on Saturday 14 April. See www.hebceltfest.com/competition

Eriskay’s pitch photo winnerA picture of the football pitch on the Island of Eriskay has been named a winner in the 2017 Scottish Nature Photography awards. In 2015 the pitch was listed by FIFA as one of the world’s most unique places to play football. The picture of the football pitch, under a threatening dark grey sky and with the sea and islands beyond, was taken by Edinburgh teenager Andrew Bulloch, who won the junior nature photographer of the year title for the second year in a row. Andrew said: "This year’s photo was taken on a family holiday to North Uist in the summer of 2017. We drove south to Eriskay on a stormy day and I saw this little football pitch down below the road. We stopped so I could get a photo and then I just had to go and play football on it as well.”

Memories explored in two-day eventA two-day arts event exploring memory is planned for An Lanntair next month. Cuimhne will combine academic thought, archive footage, making and live performance with particular focus on memory, oral tradition and creativity. The event will also showcase An Lanntair’s Arora project and Dementia Friendly Community initiative and will feature workshops, exhibitions, island food, artists talks and films. There will be a strong focus on the Gaelic culture and language of the islands, with opportunities to take part in island events. The Arora project promotes the Gaelic language and explores the role bilingualism has in relation to dementia. The project involves people living with dementia and those in their circle of care, as well as the wider Western Isles community, with the intention of supporting a dementia friendly community that reflects the place and its people.

Weekend sportThis weekend’s sport fixtures include an away match for Lewis Camanachd, who will meet Strathglass in the Marine Harvest North Division 2, throw-up at 2.30pm. Stornoway Rugby Club have a home match, with visitors from the Highland second 15 joining them at Bayhead for a 3pm kick-off.